Thoughts on KUIU Waders?

[Dos Perros]

Did I say that they are? I personally could give a shit where the they are designed. If I'm buying the product, they are the seller.

Also, what does that have to do with the waders being discussed?

Based on your reply I think I must have misunderstood your point.

 

[ncstewart]

This going south fast fellas! So to each their own and buy what gear works for you. I’m a good ol’ boy though so let’s not go there cuz. Good luck this year to all the wing shooter


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[UpTop]

Since we’re already off track I’ll go on record and say that the original cabelas northern flight breathables (before 1000$ waders were a thing) were the best value in waterfowl history. They were like $180 and I would easily get 3 years a hard use out of them. Wish I would have bought 5-6 sets of them! I’d have never needed to buy waders again lol.

 

[cjones37]

Have had good luck with High N Dry waders the past few years. Saw they recently released front zippered for around $550.

 

[SloppyJ]

Gonna have to be some major developments in the wader game for me to ditch my Frog Togg refuge 2.0 breathables. That's the best money I've spent in a LONG time. I don't associate KUIU with duck hunting and that would keep me from buying them that and I'm sure they're way more expensive than my trusty refuges.

 

[VIII]

I’m a couple weeks late to the conversation but jumping in anyway. I hunt waterfowl and have learned that most folks in this game are just as fanatical about hunting sucks and geese as those of you that chase mule deer and elk. Social media tells me that most of you folks buy into the technical gear offered by the (I agree with you) marketing wizards at the high end camo companies like Sitka, Kuiu, First Lite, Kryptek, etc. But then I’m sure you have hunters out there in a hoodie, jeans and insulated lineman boots. Likewise for duck hunting. Some folks will buy the cheapest neoprene waders they can find and patch then for several years until they finally break down and spend another $99 at Rogers. All the while being either too hot or too cold in a set of highly uncomfortable waders. To the dude that said you’d happily pay for the comfort of your Sitka wader again, I’m with you. In three years I’ve purchased three different sets of waders in search of something sub $500 that fits my athletic type body that’s comfortable, cool in the early season, and warm at the end of January. It doesn’t exist. So this year I’ve eyeing Simms waders since fishing waders tend to fit better.

On top of that, I also try and find a single camo pattern that I can wear in most, if not all, hunting locations that I frequent. My pursuit is typically duck, whitetail and squirrel. I’m outfitted in Kryptek highlander now and it’s done me well with the exception of waders. Now that Kuiu is offering wader that appear to fit non-fatass hunters in a camo pattern that will work just as good in a late season eastern hard wood forest as it will in tall grass and cattails, I’m going to make the investment. I’ll post a review when I get around to making the purchase.

Speaking of, anyone interested in a pile of Kryptek!?

 

[Sunset606]

Did anyone wear Gator Insulated waders this past season? Just curious how they hold up. From just a look, they look like an identical build as Banded 2.0 waders, which most have us know have been horrible for leaking.

 

[TSAMP]

Kuiu and Sitka aren't highly technical design firms, they are marketing machines.

Meh. I watched a pretty edgy video with symphonic background music tell me if the fabric does exist, Sitka will create it.

I think both statements can be true.

I wonder if the folks who can't fathom the 900 dollar waders have 900 dollar backpacks.

 

[Dos Perros]

Meh. I watched a pretty edgy video with symphonic background music tell me if the fabric does exist, Sitka will create it.

I think both statements can be true.

I wonder if the folks who can't fathom the 900 dollar waders have 900 dollar backpacks.

Sitka (and others) may spell out design and technical requirements to fabric manufacturers, but it’s the fabric manufacturers doing the creating.

Most of the time Sitka (and others) take an existing fabric or material and make it camo and call it a very expensive and innovative garment.

 

[Middleofnowhere]

I just received a pair of the Kuiu waders. The boots feel great and I think they might actually stay on my feet in suction mud. These waders also feel surprisingly light. I was pleasantly surprised that they are assembled in USA. I definitely feel better about the purchase and price. I will be wearing them in AK soon.

 

[TimberRunner]

I just received a pair of the Kuiu waders. The boots feel great and I think they might actually stay on my feet in suction mud. These waders also feel View attachment 754437View attachment 754436surprisingly light. I was pleasantly surprised that they are assembled in USA. I definitely feel better about the purchase and price. I will be wearing them in AK soon.

MON- any thoughts on these after use. I know no one who's actually worn a pair. Lots of sitka and chene in our duck camp, but no kuiu. Would be really interested in your feedback.

 

[VIII]

I echo middleofnowhere’s assessment of the waders. After some challenges with getting the right size, I finally have a set of the Kuiu waders and they’re hands down the most comfortable waders I’ve ever worn. The boots fit better than any other waders that I’ve run. They’re very comfortable. The build quality is as you would expect from pricey waders/high end Simms. They are light weight. The fit is great. Slim enough for early season comfort, but also enough space for down pants underneath come late January. I haven’t tried the Sitka waders, but I’m very pleased with my Kuiu purchase.

 

[Prest0npage]

I think they lost the sale with them not being a zip wader!

 

[Middleofnowhere]

MON- any thoughts on these after use. I know no one who's actually worn a pair. Lots of sitka and chene in our duck camp, but no kuiu. Would be really interested in your feedback.

I’m not sure how many miles, but I hiked probably close to 50 miles fishing, moose and duck hunting in AK. I helped a buddy on his moose hunt and we covered a lot of nasty terrain in our waders. My buddy was wearing the new Sitka Waders while I wore the Kuiu. We both were nipples deep too many times and slugged through a lot of thick brush. My buddy did get his moose and it took us 11-1/2 hours to pack it out. We lived in our waders every day and did a lot of hiking with packs and pushing a canoe.

The Kuiu waders are one of the best pieces of kit I’ve ever purchased. I would say the boots on the Kuiu are superior to the Sitka boots. I climbed some steep and slick terrain to get advantage looking for moose and felt completely comfortable. The waders breathed surprisingly well, better than more goretex jacket. A zipper would be nice, but I never had a problem taking a leak or dump, it just took e a bit longer. My cousin and I were both wearing AGC bino harnesses, he had to remove his bino harness to unzip for a leak, so he wasn’t much faster than me.

I would definitely buy the Kuiu waders for the boots and largely made in USA. The Sitka waders were full made in China.

 

[Hoss Smith]

I’m not sure how many miles, but I hiked probably close to 50 miles fishing, moose and duck hunting in AK. I helped a buddy on his moose hunt and we covered a lot of nasty terrain in our waders. My buddy was wearing the new Sitka Waders while I wore the Kuiu. We both were nipples deep too many times and slugged through a lot of thick brush. My buddy did get his moose and it took us 11-1/2 hours to pack it out. We lived in our waders every day and did a lot of hiking with packs and pushing a canoe.

The Kuiu waders are one of the best pieces of kit I’ve ever purchased. I would say the boots on the Kuiu are superior to the Sitka boots. I climbed some steep and slick terrain to get advantage looking for moose and felt completely comfortable. The waders breathed surprisingly well, better than more goretex jacket. A zipper would be nice, but I never had a problem taking a leak or dump, it just took e a bit longer. My cousin and I were both wearing AGC bino harnesses, he had to remove his bino harness to unzip for a leak, so he wasn’t much faster than me.

I would definitely buy the Kuiu waders for the boots and largely made in USA. The Sitka waders were full made in China.

Thanks - we are in the panhandle of Texas, best waterfowl hunting in the country when we have water. Lakes nearly filled last week and I need new waders. Appreciate your experience.